For many of us, James Gunn’s cinematic spin on the DC Universe hasn’t gotten off to the most encouraging start. It kicked off with “Superman”, a frustrating and often baffling treatment of the brand’s iconic superhero. Next came the even worse “Supergirl”, which amplified the “Superman” movie’s worst tendencies while adding a few of its own. In fairness, I haven’t watched the DCU’s more recent project “Lanterns” which certainly has its fans. I’m just not interested in a potty-mouthed Green Lantern streaming series that rewrites so much of the characters’ history.

That brings us to “Clayface”, the third feature film in the wobbly GunnVerse, and to my surprise it’s easily the best DCU offering yet. Not bad for a second-tier villain in Batman’s rogues’ gallery. Directed by James Watkins, “Clayface” is a standalone origin story that includes no superhero appearances and has no end credits scene pointing to what’s next. It’s a refreshing reprieve from the normal franchise formula.

Clayface has had several different origins throughout the character’s 86-year existence. The original Clayface had no superpowers at all. Later he injected himself with a genetic compound. An even later version stumbled into a pool of radioactive protoplasm. For the movie, writers Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini pull bits from those past origins while adding their own modern spin. But their biggest twist is in making this a body horror thriller that fully earns its R rating.

Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen, a rising Hollywood actor who gets the exciting news that he’s been nominated for an Academy Award. Matt and his childhood friend Corey (Joshua James) head to a Gotham nightclub to celebrate. After several drinks, he meets the sultry Mia (Joana Ribeiro) on the dance floor and the two hit it off. Little does Matt know, Mia is the girlfriend of crime boss Markos Szabo (David Dencik). But he learns quick after the two end up spending the night together.

The next morning they are awakened by a jealous Szabo who takes a knife and brutally carves up Matt’s million-dollar face. His career comes to a screeching halt after numerous surgeries leave him horribly disfigured. Meanwhile Szabo uses his connections to start a smear campaign against Matt. Soon he’s dropped by his agent (Nancy Carroll), loses all his money to his corrupt business manager (Eddie Marsan), and is forced to move to the Gotham City slums.

Matt hears about Dr. Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie), a nanotechnology pioneer on the verge of having her research shutdown after losing funding. Caitlyn has developed a groundbreaking treatment that uses nanites to heal damaged tissue. Matt pleads for her help, even volunteering to be her first human trial. She reluctantly agrees. After several carefully administered treatments, Matt fully recovers and quickly returns to the limelight. But when his face grotesquely droops during a red carpet event, he defies Caitlyn and injects himself with more nanites which grant him powers he can’t control.

By being unshackled to franchise rules, Watkins is given the rare freedom to take an established comic book property and create something uniquely its own. He doesn’t follow any specific blueprint and he’s not worried about meeting expectations. As a result, “Clayface” has the feel of something fairly original. That originality can be seen in the cool goopy effects and splashes of imaginative gore that aren’t for the squeamish. Even the predictable revenge angle has a freshness about it.

Harries delivers what’s needed from a tormented soul. The reliable Ackie brings credibility and a grounded presence. And Max Minghella fits nicely as Caitlyn’s fiancée / Gotham homicide detective who’s following a trail of murders that may or may not be tied to our puttied protagonist. Watkins ably handles the rest. There are moments where I wish he pushed things a little further. Still, there is no shortage of grisly shocks and psychological bite that gives this wickedly fun and surprising oddity its pulse. I wasn’t expecting to say this, but “Clayface” is the jolt the DCU needed.

VERDICT – 3.5 STARS